Dr. Anthony “Tony” C. Leachon is a Filipino physician and considered one of the leaders in preventive health education and health reform advocate. His major success to date is the passage of the sin tax law that aims to curb smoking and alcohol related illnesses. This law was passed December 2012.

Dr. Leachon earned his medical degree from the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in 1985 and was one of the topnotchers in the 1986 Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) Medical Board examinations in 1986.

Owing to Dr. Leachon’s various involvements and advocacies in the field of medicine, several awards and recognitions were given as follows:

2006- 2010 He was a Distinguished Fellow of the Philippine College of Physicians in 2006 One of the Outstanding Filipino Physicians(TOFP) in 2008 by DOH and Phil Jaycees Most Outstanding Medical Professional by the Professional Regulation Commission in 2009 The Outstanding Filipino Awardee in Medicine (TOFIL Award) in 2010 by the Phil Jaycees Senate.

2011-2013 Dr. Leachon was Medical and Regulatory Affairs Director of Pfizer for 18 years ( with experiences dating back from 1993 as Medical Director of Warner Lambert until his retirement in October 2010 ). He joined the Department of Health as one peso consultant for noncommunicable diseases from November 2011 to August 2013. Imbued with helping the government in the control of noncommunicable diseases, he became the Lead proponent of the government and civil society in the passage of the sin tax law for tobacco and alcohol which was signed by President Benigno Aquino III last December after languishing in congress for 16 years. The pioneering sin tax law will curb smoking and alcohol illnesses and earn additional 500 billion pesos for DOH for the next ten years. He is introducing new innovative concepts in unhealthy diet for our healthcare system – mandatory food labeling, calorie counter and food plate. The Sin Tax Bill was signed last December 20, 2012.

2012-2014 He was the immediate past President of the Philippine College of Physicians, the premier medical organization of 10,000 internal medicine specialists. During his term, he revitalized health care advocacies, strengthened media communications, and established a blue print for culture change in the organization. He served as the Director of the Information, Publications, and Public Affairs Office (IPPAO) of the University of the Philippines – Manila from June 2012 to November 2014. In his 3 year term, he led UP Manila in the passage of landmark legislations: Sin Tax Law for Tobacco and Alcohol, and the Reproductive Health Bill.

2014-2015 Dr. Leachon is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (2014). He has been recognized as well by distinguished medical societies in Asia – as Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Malaysia (2014), and Thailand (2015).

2015-2016 As a leading internist and cardiologist at Manila Doctors Hospital, he was given The Exemplar Award for his great contributions to the institution in January 2015.Dr. Leachon garnered The National Ulirang Ama Awardee for Medicine for 2015 (June 21, 2015). The prestigious award was given by the National Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Foundation Inc., headed by its President, Mr. Wilfredo M. Talag. This honor recognizes outstanding Filipino fathers who have shown success in their professional lives while fulfilling their role as head of their respective families.

For leading the Filipino medical community in healthcare reforms, Dr. Leachon was accorded The Most Outstanding Alumnus in Community Service by the UST Medical Alumni Association in America on July 4, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. Currently, Dr. Leachon is the president of the Philippine College of Physicians Foundation, Inc. and the president of the UST Medical Alumni Association 2015-2016.

August 5, 2015 Dr. Leachon was given the Lady Justice award by the Public Affairs Office headed by Atty. Persida Acosta for helping 16 year old Krisel Mallari in her crusade to seek justice and be admitted at the UST Faculty of Accountancy.

Aside from his innumerable service to his patients and the country, Dr. Leachon is greatly credited for being the author of Executive Order 595 or the Health Education Reform Order (H.E.R.O.).

Yet of all the things he has done for his patients and his country, Dr Leachon has been recognized for authoring Executive Order 595 – Health Education Reform Order (H.E.R.O.). The HERO remains the largest physician-led advocacy on comprehensive health education and disease prevention. For leading and pioneering the passage of this significant Executive Order, Dr. Leachon received Presidential Citations for helping the government with its preventive health education advocacy.

Dr. Tony Leachon is currently connected with the Manila Doctors Hospital where he practises Cardiology and Internal Medicine.